Method and apparatus for autonomous downhole fluid selection with pathway dependent resistance system

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for controlling the flow of fluid, such as formation fluid, through an oilfield tubular positioned in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation. Fluid flow is autonomously controlled in response to change in a fluid flow characteristic, such as density or viscosity. In one embodiment, a fluid diverter is movable between an open and closed position in response to fluid density change and operable to restrict fluid flow through a valve assembly inlet. The diverter can be pivotable, rotatable or otherwise movable in response to the fluid density change. In one embodiment, the diverter is operable to control a fluid flow ratio through two valve inlets. The fluid flow ratio is used to operate a valve member to restrict fluid flow through the valve.

It is claimed: 
     
       1. A flow control device for installation in a subterranean wellbore on a downhole tubular, the flow control device comprising:
 an interior surface that defines an interior chamber, the interior surface includes a side perimeter surface and opposing end surfaces, a greatest distance between the opposing end surfaces is smaller than a largest dimension of the opposing end surfaces; 
 a first port through one of the end surfaces for outputting fluid flow to, or receiving fluid flow from, the downhole tubular or the wellbore; and 
 a second port through the interior surface and apart from the first port, the side perimeter surface operable to direct flow from the second port to rotate about the first port, the second port for outputting fluid flow to, or receiving fluid flow from, the other of the downhole tubular or the wellbore; 
 a first flow path operable to direct flow through the second port into the interior chamber at a first angle, and 
 a second flow path operable to direct flow through the second port into the interior chamber at a second, different angle; 
 a flow ratio defined between the first and second flow paths; and 
 wherein the fluid flow ratio autonomously changes in response to autonomous changes in a characteristic of the flow entering the flow control device. 
 
     
     
       2. The flow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the first port comprises an outlet from the interior chamber and the second port comprises an inlet to the interior chamber. 
     
     
       3. The flow control device of  claim 2 , wherein the first flow path is operable to direct flow through the inlet in a substantially angular direction about the outlet and along the side perimeter surface. 
     
     
       4. The flow control device of  claim 2 , wherein the second flow path is operable to direct flow through the inlet in a substantially radial direction toward the outlet and perpendicular to the side perimeter surface. 
     
     
       5. The flow control device of  claim 2 , wherein the side perimeter surface is operable to promote rotational flow from the first flow path about the outlet. 
     
     
       6. The flow control device of  claim 2 , wherein the interior chamber is operable to support a substantially non-rotational flow from the second flow path to the outlet. 
     
     
       7. The flow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic of flow is density, viscosity or velocity. 
     
     
       8. A flow control device for installation in a subterranean wellbore on a downhole tubular, the flow control device comprising:
 a first flow path in communication with a chamber inlet to direct fluid into a cylindroidal chamber through a chamber inlet at a first angle, the first flow path in fluid communication with one of the downhole tubular and the wellbore, for outputting fluid flow to, or receiving fluid flow from, the one of the downhole tubular and the wellbore; 
 a second flow path in communication with the chamber to direct the inflow into the cylindroidal chamber at a second, different angle, the second flow path in fluid communication with the one of the downhole tubular and the wellbore, for outputting fluid flow to, or receiving fluid flow from, the one of the downhole tubular and the wellbore; 
 a cylindroidal chamber for receiving flow through the first and second flow paths and directing the flow to a chamber outlet, the chamber outlet in fluid communication with the other of the downhole tubular and the wellbore, for outputting fluid flow to, or receiving fluid flow from the other of the downhole tubular and the wellbore, a greatest axial dimension of the cylindroidal chamber is smaller than a greatest diametric dimension of the cylindroidal chamber, the chamber outlet in fluid communication with the first and second flow paths only through the cylindroidal chamber, 
 and wherein the cylindroidal chamber promotes a rotation of the flow about the chamber outlet and wherein a degree of the rotation autonomously changes in response to changes in an angle of inflow into the chamber, and wherein the angle of inflow into the chamber autonomously changes in response to changes in a characteristic of the flow entering the flow control device in the subterranean wellbore. 
 
     
     
       9. The flow control device of  claim 8 , wherein the characteristic of the inflow is density, viscosity or velocity of the inflow. 
     
     
       10. The flow control device of  claim 8 , wherein an increase in the degree of rotation increases a resistance to the flow between the interior and the exterior, and a decrease in the degree of rotation decreases a resistance to the flow between the interior and the exterior. 
     
     
       11. The flow control device of  claim 8 , wherein the degree of the rotation is based on which of the first flow path or the second flow path communicates a majority of the inflow into the cylindroidal chamber. 
     
     
       12. The flow control device of  claim 8 , wherein the cylindroidal chamber is cylindrical. 
     
     
       13. The flow control device of  claim 8 , wherein the cylindroidal chamber includes a side perimeter surface and opposing end surfaces, and the side perimeter surface is perpendicular to both of the opposing end surfaces. 
     
     
       14. A method of autonomously controlling flow in a subterranean wellbore between the wellbore and a downhole tubular, comprising:
 receiving a first flow from one of the downhole tubular and the wellbore through a first flow path, and into a cylindroidal chamber of a flow control device in a wellbore, a greatest axial dimension of the cylindroidal chamber is smaller than a greatest diametric dimension of the cylindroidal chamber, the first flow enters the cylindroidal chamber at a first angle; 
 receiving a second flow from the one of the downhole tubular and the wellbore through a second flow path, and into the cylindroidal chamber, the second flow enters the cylindroidal chamber at a second, different angle; 
 promoting a rotation of at least one of the first flow or the second flow through the cylindroidal chamber about a chamber outlet, 
 rotating flow about the chamber outlet, the rotating flow having a degree of the rotation; 
 autonomously changing the degree of rotation in response to a change in at least an angle of entry of flow into the chamber; 
 autonomously changing the angle of entry of flow into the chamber in response to a change in at least a flow ratio between the first and second flow paths; 
 autonomously changing the flow ratio in response to a change in a characteristic of inflow into the chamber; and 
 outputting a third flow from the cylindroidal chamber through the chamber outlet to the other of the downhole tubular and the wellbore. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein promoting the rotation comprises increasing the degree of rotation based on a viscosity, velocity or density of the inflow. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the degree of the rotation is based on which of the first flow path or the second flow path communicates a majority of the inflow in the cylindroidal chamber. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein promoting the rotation comprises increasing the degree of rotation, and increasing the degree of rotation increases a resistance to the flow through the cylindroidal chamber.